Two fluid power plant



June 5, 1934. R. c. ROE 1,961,788

TWO FLUID POWER PLANT Filed March 13, 1931 2 ShetsSheet W a INVENTOR June 5, R c ROE TWO FLUID POWER PLANT Filed March 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 liquid.

Patented June 5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT TWO FLUID POWER PLANT Application March 13, 1931, Serial No. 522,214

20 Claims.

This invention pertains to improvements in binary fluid power plants which employ a regenerative heat cycle.

Amongst the objects of this invention is to provide a binary fluid power plant in which the initial cost of the equipment is relatively low, the number of pieces of apparatus and fluids relatively few and the general arrangement of the parts comparatively simple.

'The general principle of recovering heat from the turbine, after it has performed useful work and re-introducing it into the heat cycle by means of a binary fluid absorption system, is fully described in my copending application Serial No. 508,068. The systems described in this application differ from those of my applications Serial No. 508,068 and Serial No. 520,557 in the following respect. In my preceding applications the condensate from the low pressure end of the prime mover is kept at all times separated from the binary fluid and from both of its constituent elements, or in other words the preceding applications cover systems in which three separate and distinct fluids may be utilized while in the present application two fluids only may be utilsteam but if the lighter element be a liquid other than water, then the entire prime mover must be designed to be actuated by the vapor of such This application covers also a combination absorption-generator and also discloses a system in which the condenser evaporator of my former applications has been eliminated and also .an arrangement wherein the regenerative cycle is applied to an intermediate portion of the turbine, both with respect to the turbine intake and turbine exhaust.

The following nomenclature has been adopted, in both the specification and claims, for the sake of clearness. The boiler used for distilling ofl the lighter element of the binary fluid has been termed combustion boiler and the boiler within which the absorber is enclosed has been termed absorption-generator. Binary fluid when consisting of substantially normal proportions of'its two constituent fluids, is termed binary fluid". The constituent element having the lower boiling point is termed light liquid" and vapor produced therefrom, under high pressure in the boiler is.

vapor of the former liquid.

In the drawings which areschematic: Fig. 1 represents a binary fluid regenerative plant employing a combination absorption-generator and a combination evaporator condenser. Fig. 2 represents a plant in which the combination evaporator condenser is replaced by a special type of water coolcd'condenser.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is a furnace or other source of heat for combustion boiler 2 which contains binary fluid, 3 represents a rectifier or purifier of any conventional type, 4 a conduit, 6 an elastic fluid prime mover either simple or compound, 7 an exhaust conduit, 9 a conduit, 11 a regulating valve, 12 a conduit, 13 the vapor chamber of a condenser evaporator 14, 15 a conduit, 16 an absorber, 17 a conduit, 18 a heat exchanger, 19 a conduit, 20 a turbine or other pressure reducing device, 21 and 22 conduits, 23 -means'for removing vapor and liquid such as a wetvvacuum pump, 24 a conduit, 25 a vent drum, 26 a conduit, 27 a pressure pump, 28 a conduit, 29 a. heat exchanger element, 30 a conduit, 31 a vent pipe, 34 a cooling coil, 40 the vapor chamberof the combination evaporator condenser 41, 42 a hot well, 51 a water cooled vapor condenser and one pontion of the compound evaporator condenser 41, 52 the water chamber of the condenser 51, 53 a pump or other means for maintaining and regiilating a flow of cooling water through chamber 52, 54 and" 56 conduits, 55 a feed pump, 60 an ab sorber-g'enerator, 76 light liquid in boiler 60. In Fig. 2; 5 is a conduit alternative to conduit 37, 70 an open vapor chamber in a special water cooled vapor condenser 71 which is cooled by water circulating through chamber 72. 73 represents any conventional means for drying the vapor passing from chamber 70 into conduit 74. 74 is a conduit for conveying vapor from chamber 70 to absorber 16, 77 is a conduit alternative to conduit 74 for conveying vapor from an intermediate turbine stage'to absorber 16. I

The prime mover 6 may be anytype of elastic fluid prime mover suitable for operation onthe 11" particular elastic fluid produced from the binary fluid used. The general principles of absorption refrigeration may be found in such standard works as Kents or Mark's handbooks of mechanical engineering and in Refrigeration? by Moyer and Fittz, 1928. Therein will be found a description of the operation of absorbers by means of which heat is extracted from one substance at one temperature and transferred to another substance at a higher temperature, as well as drawings and descriptions of the operation of rectiflers, analyzers, heat exchangers, binary fluid boilers etc., as applied to absorption refrigeration systems.

Those skilled in this art will understand that the details of the apparatus and the binary fluid used will vary according to the particular requirements attending the use of which the system is to be put, but for the purposes of illustration I shall refer to an apparatus shown in the drawings and describe the same with reference to the use .of the following binary fluid. A heavy liquid consisting of glycerine (CaHaOz) to which is added a light liquid of water (H2O) to the extent of 4 percent by weight, this being the mixture as it leaves the absorber. The result of any variation in the percentage is shown by Fig. 3.

The pressures and temperatures which will be developed in the various parts of the system, Fig. 2, will be as follows, no allowance being made for friction or radiation losses. The location numbers are the reference characters of the drawings. Temperatures are in degrees .Fahr. Pressures are absolute.

Locat J11 Tempera- Location Temper- No. mum ture No. Pressure ature 2nd 4.... 215 404 215 187 7 .975 101 215 as? 215 189 8.38 185 By applying heat to boiler 2 the water is distilled from the glycerine and passes, in the form of superheated steam, through the purifier 3, where any entrained particles of glycerine are taken out and returned to the boiler, through conduit 4 to turbine 6. Leaving the turbine 6 by way of exhaust conduit 7, the steam enters the steam space 40 of condenser evaporator 14 where it is condensed and accumulated in hot well 42. In chamber 40 a vacuum of approximately 28" is maintained partly by circulating cooling water by pump 53 and partly by circulating condensate from hot well 42 via conduit 9, regulating valve 11 and conduit 12 through chamber 13 in which a vacuum of approximately 28 is maintained by pump 23. This vacuum is sumcient to cause the nece s sary flow of condensate from hot well 42 into-chamber 13 and the difference in temperature corresponding to the vacuum in chambers 13 and 40 is sufficient to cause the condensate to evaporate which it does, passing in the form of steam through conduit 15 into absorber 16.

Turning now to combustion boiler 2. A fluid which is mostly glycerine passes through conduit 17, heat exchanger 18 where its temperature is reduced, conduit 19, reducing turbine 20 and conduit 21 to the absorber 16. In the absorber the glycerine is brought into intimate contact with the light liquid evaporate or steam entering through conduit 15 with the result that the steam is absorbed by the glycerine, the two reforming into the original binary fluid which is drawn off through conduit 22, pump 23, conduit 24 and vent drum 25, where non-condensable gas may be vented through conduit 31. From 25 the binary fluid passes through conduit 26, pump 27, heat exchanger coil 29 and conduit 30 back to the boiler 2. I

In the absorber 16 heat of absorption" is liberated and the heat is partly taken up by coil 34 and is transferred to the water 76 as the water 76 circulates through 34 by thermo-siphon action. Part of the heat of absorption is transmitted directly through the absorber case to the water surrounding it.

That part of the condensate from chamber 40, which is not taken back into chamber 13 passes through conduit 54, pump 55 and conduit 56 to the absorber-generator 60 where it is shown as 76 completely surrounding the absorber 16.

Water 76 in generator 60 is heated by the heat of absorption to a temperature which will pro duce a suitable steam pressure for use in turbine 6. The temperature and pressure available in generator 60 may be somewhat lower than the temperature prevailing in boiler 2, with the result that the steam flowing through conduit 36 will be of somewhat lower temperature and pressure than the steam flowing through conduit 4 and in such cases it is, therefore, necessary to introduce the steam from generator 60 at a suitable intermediate point in the turbine 6 as via conduit 37, Fig. 2.

The heat exchanger 18 is used to reduce the temperature of the heavy liquid, since it must be at a lower temperature than the distilling temperature in order to absorb the light liquid vapor. Also, the lower its temperature the smaller the amount of heat which will be transferred from the boiler to the prime mover, via the absorber,

which is desirable since heat thus transferred, instead of being transferred by the high pressure lightliquid vapor, simply increases the duty imposed upon the absorber to no good purpose.

The liquid turbine 20 serves the double purpose of reducing the pressure of the heavy liquid, which of course is essential since the absorber operates at a lower pressure, and of utilizing the pressure drop for doing useful work, such as driving the pump 27.

In the arrangement shown in Fig. 2 only a portion of the steam entering chamber 70, via exhaust conduit 7, is condensed forming condensate 75. The balance of the steam passes through dryer 73 and conduit 74 into absorber 16 where it is absorbed by the glycerine as explained in connection with Fig. 1. In order that only dry steam may be taken into the absorber 16,'it is necessary to provide a large open chamber as 70 in order that the steam and moisture may have time and space in which to separate and the elements to reach a condition of thermal equilibrium without super-saturation. Suitable baflles, as 73, or other conventional means for removing any excess moisture from the steam before it reaches the absorber, is provided either in chamber 70 or in the conduit line 74. Any moisture carried into absorber 16 not only reduces the working capacity of the absorber and of the boiler 2 but it reduces the amount of regeneration useable and increases the fuel required for a given output.

As the drawings are only schematic it is to be understood that the plant will include any necessary details commonly found, in conventional plants. I

WhileIhave shown and described-one embodiment of my invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it will be understood that my in vention is capable of embodiment in a variety of forms of apparatus and that I am not limited to the specific arrangement or structural parts shown and described, or to the particular binary fluid or for producing light liquid vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; agenerator for producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor theree to; a condenser evaporator for receiving expanded-vapor from the prime mover and for producing light liquid evaporate; an-absorber for absorb.- ing the light liquid evaporate, the absorber being disposed in heat exchange relation with the generator; a first conduit line for conducting heavy liquid from the combustion boiler to the absorber, said conduit line including means for reducing thepressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second conduit line for conducting binary fluid from the absorber to the combustion boiler, said conduit line including a pump; a third conduit line for conducting light liquid condensate from the condenser evaporator to the generator, said conduit line including a pump; and a fourth conduit line for conducting light liquid evaporate from the condenser-evaporator to the absorber.

2. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the first conduit line includes also'one element of a heat exchanger,

the other element of which is included in the second conduit line, thereby avoiding unnecessary transfer of heat from the boiler to the prime mover via the absorber.

3. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first conduit line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

4. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first conduitline is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavyliquid pressure drop and by the further fact that the line includesalso one element of a heat exchanger.

' 5. A binary fluid power plant which includesan elastic fluid prime mover exhausting into a condenser; a combustion boiler for producing light liquid vapor for the prime moverand means for conducting the vapor thereto; a generator for producing vapor for the prime mover'and means for conducting the vapor thereto; a condenser for the prime mover exhaust vapor, said condenser including a vapor chamber connected via a conduit to an absorber; an absorber for absorbing exhaust vapor from the prime mover, the absorber being arranged in heat exchange relation with the generator; a first conduit line for conducting heavy liquid from the combustion boiler to the absorber, said conduit line including means for reducing the pressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second conduit line for conducting binary fluid from the absorber to the combustion boiler, said con duit line including a pump; a third conduit line for conducting vapor condensate from the condenser to the generator, said conduit line including a pump.

6. A binary fluid power plant accord; 1g to claim 5 characterized by the fact that the first conduit line includes also one element of a heat exchanger, the other element of which is included in the second conduit line, thereby avoiding unnecessary transfer of heat from the boiler to the prime moverrvia the absorber.

7. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 5 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first conduit line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

8. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 5 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first conduit line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy 'liquid pressure drop and by the further fact that the line includes also one element of a heat exchanger for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

9. A binary fluid power plant which includes an elastic fluid prime mover; a fuel boiler for boiling a binary fluid and producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conductingthevapor thereto; a generator for producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; a condenser for receiving the exhaust vapor from the prime mover and condens, ing a portion thereof; a conduit line for conveying vapor from the condenser to an absorber; an absorber for absorbing the vapor; means for transferring the heat of absorption from the absorberto the generator; at first pipe line for conducting liquid from the fuel boiler to the absorber, said line including means for reducing the pressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second pipe linefor conducting binary fluid from the absorber to the fuel boiler, said line including a pump; and a third pipe line for conducting condensate from the'condenser to the generator, said pipe line including a pump.

10. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the flrst'pipe line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

11. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the pres- .sure reducing means in the first conduit line isthe vapor thereto; means for conveying expanded vapor from the prime mover to an absorber; an absorber for absorbing the vapor; means for transferring the heat of absorption from the absorber to the generator; a first pipe line for conducting liquid from the fuel boiler to the absorber, said line including means for reducing the pressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second pipe line for conducting binary fluid from the absorber to the fuel boiler, said line including a pump; and a third pipe line for conducting condensate from the condenser to the generator, said pipe line in--, cluding a pump.

13. A binary fluid power plant accordin to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first pipe line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

14. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first pipe line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop and by the further fact that the saidpipe line includes one element of an heat exchanger. I

15. A binary fluid power plant which includes-an elastic fluid prime mover having one or more'stages for the expansion of the fluid therein; a combustion boiler for producing light liquid vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; a generator for producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; means for conveying. expanded vapor from the prime mover to an absorber; an absorber for absorbing expanded vapor from the prime mover, the absorber being arranged in heat exchange relation with the generator; a first conduit line for. conducting heavy liquid from the combustion boiler to the absorber, said conduit line including means for reducing the pressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second conduit line for conducting binary liquid from the absorber to the combustion boiler, said conduit line including a pump; a third conduit line for conducting vapor condensate from the condenser to the generator, said conduit line including a pump. U

16. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 15 characterized by the fact that the flrst conduit line includes also one element of a heat exchanger, the other element of which is included in the second conduit line, thereby avoiding unnecessary transfer of heat from the boiler to the prime mover via the absorber.

17. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 15 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in the first conduit line is a liquid turbine for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop.

18. A binary fluid power plant according to claim 15 characterized by the fact that the pressure reducing means in thefirst conduit line is a liquid :turbine, for utilizing the heavy liquid pressure drop and by the further fact that the line includes also one element of an heat exchanger.

19. A binary fluid power plant which includes an elastic fluid prime mover; a fuel boiler for boiling a binary fluid and producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; a generator for producing vapor for the prime mover and means for conducting the vapor thereto; a condenser evaporator for receiving and condensing the exhaust vapor from the prime mover, said condenser evaporator including an evaporation chamber; a conduit line including a valve for conveying condensate from the .condenser evaporator to the evaporation chamber; a conduit line for conveying evaporate from the evaporation chamber to an absorber; an absorber for absorbing the evaporate; means for transferring the heat of absorption from the absorber to the generator; a'flrst pipe line for conducting heavy liquid from the fuel boiler to the absorber, said line including means for reducing the pressure of the liquid to that of the vapor entering the absorber; a second pipe line for conducting binary fluid from the absorber to the fuel boiler, said line including a pump; and a third pipe line for conducting condensate from the condenser evaporator to the generator, said pipe line including a pump.

20. In a power plant; means to expel light liquid vapor from a binary fluid, means to derive power from the expelled vapor, vacuum producing means to receive light liquidvapor from said power means, an absorber, means to conduct heavy liquid from the first mentioned means to the absorber, means to conduct vapor of the light liquid of said binary fluid from the vacuum means to the absorber to be absorbed therein by heavy liquid forming binary fluid, means to conduct the binary fluid from the absorber to the first mentioned means, and means independent of the flrst mentioned means for transferring heatrejected by the absorber into the power means.

' RALPH C. ROE. 

